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The National Park system is one of the many crowning jewels of the USA. Made up of thousands of preserved vistas of natural wilderness, historical landmarks, and educational facilities, these visitor destinations, maintained by the US government, are usually family-friendly, affordable to visit, and contain a wealth of information about many aspects of American history. In partnership with Operation Live Well, the NPS looks to give back to military personnel and their families by giving them free annual passes to the nation’s National Parks.
Overview of National Park Passes for Veterans
The National Park Pass for Veterans is a special pass to the US National Parks that allows military members and their dependents free access to the parks, museums, and facilities of the NPS. The military National Park pass is available to all members of the US Armed Forces and their families, including the branches of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Space Force, National Guard, and Gold Star recipients. The VA National Park pass is for both active duty and Reserves, and for Servicemembers and their spouses and dependents. These passes are available at the National Parks themselves, online, or at federal recreation sites. The lifetime National Park pass for Veterans does not expire and issues a card with the Veteran’s name on it for easy identification.
How to Obtain a Military National Park Pass
To get a military National Park pass, you can apply either in person or online. Check this link to find the place nearest to you that provides these military National Park passes or visit your base MWR office. You can obtain a lifetime National Park pass for Veterans at most National Park visitor centers.
If you are applying online, please visit the USGS store at this link to order your free National Park Pass for Veterans or a Lifetime National Park Pass for Veterans. There is a $10 processing fee for online pass orders, and it might take a week or two to ship.
The National Park Pass for Military Veterans is simple to obtain, but in each case, whether you get the pass in person or online, a VA National Park Pass requires one of the following forms of ID to prove military service:
- Unexpired Common Access Card (CAC)
- Unexpired DD Form 1173
- Unexpired Next Generation Dependent ID (Replacement of DD Form 1173)
Benefits of the National Parks Lifetime Pass for Veterans
The NPS also offers the National Parks Lifetime Pass for Veterans, which is a National Park pass for Veterans that is valid for a greater length of time than a year. Also referred to as the Interagency Military Annual Pass, this lifetime National Park pass for Veterans allows lifetime access to activities within the parks, such as hiking, fishing, biking, and camping. You can use the pass with any accompanying passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle in areas with a per-vehicle fee. At sites that charge per person, you can use the pass with up to three additional adults. This amounts to savings in the hundreds of dollars for those who like to visit the National Parks regularly for these mentioned activities. The National Parks lifetime pass for Veterans is available to the families of Veterans as well, ensuring that the entire family can enjoy America’s treasured parks and landscapes.
Exploring Free National Park Pass Options for Disabled Veterans
The National Parks seek to encourage all to visit their parks and historical places, including those with disabilities. This is especially true for disabled veterans. The disabled Veteran National Park Pass application is at this link and offers several benefits, including access to handicap-accessible campsites, facilities, and tours. You can get your free disabled Veteran National Park pass online or in person at any National Park visitor center. To be eligible for this pass, you must provide a medical letter from a licensed physician explaining your permanent disability that limits one or more major life activities and can be physical, mental, or sensory. Also accepted are letters from rehabilitation facilities or any agency, such as the VA or Social Security, describing your permanent disability.
FAQs: Common Questions About National Park Passes for Veterans
Below are some of the most common questions regarding the Veterans free National Park pass. If you have further questions about National Park passes available to Veterans, call the National Park Service at 202-208-6843.
All current and former members of the US Armed Forces, both active duty and Reserve, Veterans, their dependents, and Gold Star families qualify for the National Parks lifetime pass for Veterans.
All current and former members of the US Armed Forces, both active duty and Reserve, Veterans, their dependents, and Gold Star families qualify for the National Parks lifetime pass for Veterans.
Veterans can get a free military National Park pass by:
- You can pick it up in person at a participating National Park or federal recreation site.
- Order it online from the USGS Store for a $10 processing fee.
- Contact your local DAV office to file a claim.
The National Park Service’s Interagency Military Pass, or the National Park Pass for Veterans, provides Veterans with free lifetime access to national parks and other federal recreational areas. It covers entrance fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, and other federal recreational lands, as well as standard amenity fees at national forests, grasslands, and lands managed by the National Park Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Forest Service.
Yes. The Access Pass is a free lifetime pass for any US citizen or permanent resident with a permanent disability. An Access Pass may also provide discounts for expanded amenities like camping and guided tours. It pairs with the National Park Pass for Veterans to provide the greatest access to the National Parks for disabled Veterans.
The National Park Pass for Veterans covers the pass holder, all occupants of a single, non-commercial vehicle, and 3 other persons 16 years or older where fees are charged.
No, the National Park Pass for Veterans is not transferable.
